Paint & Coatings Industry - May 2008 - (Page 82)

Editor Note: This paper was the keynote paper at The Waterborne Symposium. BioPreferred he federal government purchases a huge amount of goods and serh f d d vices, totaling $412 billion in 2006. Manufacturers of biobased products have a unique opportunity to connect with the nation’s largest marketplace – and to generate increased revenue to build their businesses while sustaining the environment and helping the farm economy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the federal government will buy billions of dollars in biobased products within the next few years. To obtain a perspective on federal purchasing power, consider that the government spends nearly $3 million each year on adhesives alone. SM Federal Biobased Products-Preferred Procurement Program Why Should Manufacturers Participate? T Program Background The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, or Farm Bill, established the BioPreferred Program, requiring government agencies to give preference to biobased products when making their purchases. This legislation directs the government – specifically the USDA – to determine whether products are biobased and to develop a labeling program identifying the product as certified by the USDA as biobased. The USDA will grant the use of this label for a limited number of years; manufacturers of biobased products will have to apply for reauthorization to continue using it. The 2002 Farm Bill defines biobased products as composed in whole or in significant part from biological products, forestry materials or renewable agricultural materials, including plant, animal or marine materials. Food, feed and fuel are excluded. Through a cooperative agreement with the USDA, Iowa State University Extension’s Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) in Ames, Iowa, is investigating products that meet this definition to determine their biobased bi b d content and to set minimum standards for d ii ddf preferred procurement status. President George W. Bush reinforced the BioPreferred Program when he signed Executive Order 13423 in January 2007. EO 13423 directs federal agencies involved with the environment, transportation and energy to act in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. According to the order, agencies are required to purchase goods and services that use sustainable environmental practices, namely biobased, environmentally preferable, energy and water-efficient and recycled-content products. However, the BioPreferred Program does contain some exemptions. Government agencies do not have to buy biobased products if a product is not readily available, if it fails to meet performance standards for the intended application, or it is prohibitively high in price. A department determines whether a product is too costly based on its own budget and environmental considerations. Also, government agencies have to purchase $10,000 worth of a biobased product, or have purchases totaling $10,000 in the previous fiscal year, before they must opt for biobased. How the Process Works The U.S. Department of Agriculture is implementing the BioPreferred Program in stages – or what the USDA calls rounds. Each round contains about 10 biobased items, and the items include multiple products under a broad heading. For example, an item in the first round is bedding, bath and linens. The research conducted by CIRAS establishes the items in each round. During a 60-day period, the USDA solicits comments about the items in each round from various entities, including private citizens, companies, By Steven L. Devlin, Jessica A. Riedl, and Marilyn Vaughan | Iowa State University Extension, Ames, IA 82 MAY 2008 | W W W . P C I M A G . C O M http://WWW.PCIMAG.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Paint & Coatings Industry - May 2008

Paint & Coatings Industry - May 2008 Contents Viewpoint Industry News Calendar of Events Company News Mergers and Acquisitions Names in the News Charlotte Dining Guide Exhibits-in-Print Waterborne Alkyds Break Through the Performance Barrier New Matting Agents for Waterborne Coatings and Varnishes Silicon-Based Technology for the Coatings Industry High-Performance Microgrinding The Development of New SMA Esters as Pigment Dispersants for Waterborne Coatings and Inks The Right Choice New Coating Technology Expands Color Choices for Vinyl Building Products BioPreferred Federal Biobased Products-Preferred Procurement Program European Union's REACH Regulation Sustainability - The New Nano Improved Dirt Pickup Resistance Critical to Future Coating Innovation NanoNews Protective Coatings NDT - Energy-Saving Paint Static Electricity - The Hidden Danger in Hazardous Areas Wacker Chemie - A Profile of Success Materials Watch Products and Literature Classifieds Advertiser Index

Paint & Coatings Industry - May 2008

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